#TitansDraft Conference Call: Sixth Round Pick Zach Mettenberger

(on if he is disappointed in lasting this long in the draft, but still happy to be in an NFL camp with the Titans)

I am ecstatic for the opportunity. It is a dream that I have had in my life, just to have a shot.

(on what he thought the reason he was still available in the sixth round)

I don’t know. I can’t worry about that. All I know is that I have a great opportunity with a great organization and I am going to make the most of it. I am ready to get up there and get to work and see what I can do.

(on if he watched the draft and what was going through his mind as the sixth round came around)

I have been at my aunt and uncle’s house so I have been in the dark most of the time. So, I haven’t been watching it. I have just been waiting for that call. Whenever it was, I was going to be thrilled to be part of a team.

(on how his knee was coming along)

It’s good. I am very close to 100 percent. I am full go in practice and ready to get up there and show that knee is healthy, my back is healthy that I can make them a better team.

(on if he thought Tennessee was a place he could wind up)

I had a workout with Coach McNulty a couple of weeks ago. I thought I did a fantastic job at that workout and I really hit it off with them. It was always kind of in the back of my mind. I thought it would be a good place for me. It’s quick to home and close to a lot of family and I am fortunate that’s the place that gave me a call.

(on if he thought Tennessee is a good landing spot and what he knows of the quarterback situation)

You know that is something I can’t worry about. All I can do is control what I can control. I am going to show up, ready to work. I am going to come every day with a hard hat and lunch pail to get after it. Whatever happens, happens. I am just going to compete by tail off. If I don’t win this job, I am going to push the other guy to be better.

(on if he feels he fits mold of past quarterbacks that Ken Whisenhunt has tutored)

I mean, Coach Whisenhunt has a very successful reputation with quarterbacks. Hopefully, I can be another guy that fits the mold of those great quarterbacks you just mentioned. I am going to be all ears and do everything I can to learn from him and the other guys that are there.

(on what he thinks playing in a pro style offense last year will do in making NFL transition easier)

Yes, you know we have been a pro style offense since Coach (Les) Miles has been there. Having Coach (Cam) Cameron there last year really opened my eyes to what it takes to be a NFL quarterback. Hesanother guy who’s had a lot of success in the National Football League of grooming quarterbacks and making them great. To have him here, to work with him, really got me mentally prepared for this journey that I am about to embark on.

(on if he thought questions about knee, or off field stuff that have surfaced caused him to drop in draft)

That’s something I can’t worry about. I have no control over those things and what it did. All I know is that I have an opportunity to be a part of a great franchise and I just going to make the most of it.

(on if he can give explanation over sample they said was positive at the combine)

You know, I would just rather not talk about that.

(on how unfortunate some of the stuff is for someone trying to get drafted high)

It’s never something anyone really wants. In my case, I made it really hard. I am just thankful to finally be picked and ready to go.

(on if he thinks he has to prove himself again as he did at LSU)

Yeah, absolutely. The jury is still out on me. I am going to do everything I can to prove everyone wrong that I am a great player and I am a great person. More importantly, that I am a great person. I really want to show that to everyone.

(on what he feels his main strength is)

You know, I think mentally is my best strength as a quarterback. Working with Coach Cameron, the quarterback had a lot of responsibilities at the line of scrimmage last year. I think that is something that is unique about me is that we did a lot of things at the line of scrimmage that I had to check into and take control. This is something you have to do in the NFL and I am ready to showcase it. I had an advantage in college and ready to continue my progress as a quarterback.

I know he’s a great athletic guy. He’s a great player. He was really having a great season last year.He got dinged up there. I am really excited to work with him and the other guys and compete with them.

(on if he knows Tyler Wilson from competing against him when was at Arkansas)

I know Tyler very well, playing against him. I have hung around with him, gotten to know him and that’s another guy that I have a lot respect for and likewise, ready to compete against.

(on what he told the Titans about guilty pleas of two counts of sexual battery)

That was something that happened a long time ago. I talked to the coaching staff and the GM about it and they understood what I did, what needed to happen, transpired. I took a long, hard road to get where I am at now. I am a NFL player.

(on what went through his mind when other quarterbacks go off board and does that motivate him)

You know, I could have gone first overall and I still would have wanted to prove people wrong. Like I said before, the jury is still out on me and I want to prove to my doubters that as a person and a player that I can play this game and live a great life. I just want to go out there and do the best I can and work with a great coach like Coach Whisenhunt.

(on when he comes to Nashville and where he watched the draft)

I am driving up tomorrow. I am in Scottsboro, Ala. My aunt and uncle live here.

(on what he has learned from past events)

Yes, the scrutiny that your are under just playing the position. It’s such a great league, everyone going to be looking at you really hard. It’s been a tough journey. I have learned a lot. I am continuing to grow as a person and as a player. I am going to continue to learn and grow every day and that is all I can do.

(on if he is ready to participate with his knee injury)

If rookie camp started in 20 minutes, I could practice with the team.

(on being a competitor, does he think he could be in position to fight for a starting job)

That’s what we do. We all want to play. No one really wants to sit on the bench. Pretty much everything I can to not only do that, but help the team get better and whatever that situation is, that opportunity is, that is what I’m going to do.